The war on punk rock clubs

It started in New York at CBGB.

Now it has spread to Milwaukee's own Cactus Club.

Eric Uecke, who owns the Cactus, has plans to completely renovate the club. Unfortunately, a vocal minority of Bay View residents are opposing the project, and they've got Alderman Tony Zielinski backing them up. Uecke bought the club a decade ago, and it's needed renovating for much longer than that.

From the article:

Uecke, who owns and lives in the house next door to the club at 2494 S. Wentworth Ave., estimated the changes, which include adding 12 feet to the north side of the structure to make space to expand the bathrooms and make the building handicapped accessible, will cost between $150,000 and $175,000.

In addition, Uecke, who has owned the club for 10 years, would replace the existing bar, floors, external signage and ventilation systems, among other things, and enclose the garbage bins outside.

Interestingly, Zielinski is supporting a new outdoor liquor license kitty-corner from the club at Groppi's grocery store which is all fine and good. However, it's disappointing that he would choose to join with a small number of busy bodies in opposing the renovation over supporting a good investment in this property and the neighborhood.

For those who want to attend, there will be a hearing before the Utilities and Licensing committee tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3pm in room 301-B on the third floor of City Hall. If you can't attend, but want to send your comments to the members of the committee, here are their names and e-mail addresses:

Alderman James Witkowiak (Chairman) - jwitko@milwaukee.gov
Alderman Jim Bohl, Jr. (Vice Chairman) - jbohl@milwaukee.gov
Alderman Robert Puente - rpuent@milwaukee.gov
Alderman Joe Dudzik - jdudzi@milwaukee.gov
Alderman Willie Wade - wwade@milwaukee.gov